$20 cover charge; $10 for students/musicians/low income.

Elena Welch is a jazz and blues vocalist greatly influenced by her ten formative and very fun years living in the music city of Chicago, Illinois. She resided on the Big Island of Hawaii for over eight years, where she performed regularly with her quintet as well as with Island Swing Orchestra, a 17-piece traditional swing big band. And she had a fifteen-year run living and performing in the Bay Area before moving up to Portland. She now returns often for appearances in San Francisco, Sonoma and a few other choice spots, reuniting with old friends and colleagues every time. Expect a family affair!

Elena has a degree in voice from Columbia College Chicago, where she studied under the direction of William Russo (Stan Kenton’s musical director.) She also attended the Stanford Jazz Vocal Workshop headed up by jazz greats, Madeline Eastman and Sheila Jordan!

Elena has four CDs to her credit. “Catnip Cafe” a swinging compilation with an all-star 6-piece band produced in 2003 and “Talk to Me” an intimate and soulful work completed in 2008, plus “Live at the Blue Dragon” recorded live at a wonderful club in Kawaihae Harbor on the Big Island in 2011 and “Eastside Sessions” recorded in 2012 in tribute to and featuring the late, great bassist, John Parker. The CD is an elegant union of favorite Bay Area and Hawaii musicians.

We’re pleased to present her to the Bird & Beckett audience for the first time, and to host her little get together with some good old friends set to bring back the good times, right now!